Sealable hand protector

ABSTRACT

A device which includes a first foldable material and a second foldable material, said second foldable material coupled to the first foldable material to form an outer edge and having a stretchable binding disposed on the first foldable material opposite to the second foldable material and a zipper disposed substantially near the outer edge so that the zipper joins a first portion of the outer edge to a second portion of the outer edge when closed. The first foldable material may be a PVC-Coated polyester fabric with and anti-microbial coating. Some embodiments may include a layer of foam disposed between the first and second material.

PRIORITY

This application claims the benefit of co-pending provisional patent application 61/762,206 filed Feb. 7, 2013 entitled “Sealable Hand Protector” by the same inventor which is incorporated by reference as if fully set forth herein.

BACKGROUND

There is an increasing amount of people who desire to keep their hands clean when interacting with the public. This desire may be result of a healthy respect of germ contamination from regular disease vectors. Or it may be the result of a fear of germs and other pathogens. In addition, people interacting in public fear simple dirt left by people who use public facilities or ride public transit. Accordingly there is a demand for new ways to facilitate interactions with public facilities without having to soil one's hands.

SUMMARY

Disclosed herein is device which includes a first foldable material and a second foldable material, said second foldable material coupled to the first foldable material to form an outer edge and having a stretchable binding disposed on the first foldable material opposite to the second foldable material and a zipper disposed substantially near the outer edge so that the zipper joins a first portion of the outer edge to a second portion of the outer edge when closed. The first foldable material may be a PVC-Coated polyester fabric with and anti-microbial coating. Some embodiments may include a layer of foam disposed between the first and second material.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of a device according to the current disclosure.

DESCRIPTION Generality of Invention

This application should be read in the most general possible form. This includes, without limitation, the following:

References to specific techniques include alternative and more general techniques, especially when discussing aspects of the invention, or how the invention might be made or used.

References to “preferred” techniques generally mean that the inventor contemplates using those techniques, and thinks they are best for the intended application. This does not exclude other techniques for the invention, and does not mean that those techniques are necessarily essential or would be preferred in all circumstances.

References to contemplated causes and effects for some implementations do not preclude other causes or effects that might occur in other implementations.

References to reasons for using particular techniques do not preclude other reasons or techniques, even if completely contrary, where circumstances would indicate that the stated reasons or techniques are not as applicable.

Furthermore, the invention is in no way limited to the specifics of any particular embodiments and examples disclosed herein. Many other variations are possible which remain within the content, scope and spirit of the invention, and these variations would become clear to those skilled in the art after perusal of this application.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Specific examples of components and arrangements are described below to simplify the present disclosure. These are, of course, merely examples and are not intended to be limiting. In addition, the present disclosure may repeat reference numerals and/or letters in the various examples. This repetition is for the purpose of simplicity and clarity and does not in itself dictate a relationship between the various embodiments and/or configurations discussed.

FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of a device 100 according to the current disclosure. In FIG. 1A an embodiment is shown in the closed position, whereas in FIG. 1B the same embodiment is shown in the open position. The embodiment includes a first surface 110 which may be effectuated using a rubberized oven-mitt type material such as a PVC-Coated polyester fabric available from Rockywoods Outdoor Fabric. A second surface 112, opposite to the first surface, may be formed using a ripstop nylon such as Denier ripstop nylon. Moreover, the material for the first and second side may be effectuated using other versatile and cleanable materials.

A zipper 114 is attached to the edge of the combined surfaces and positioned to allow for folding the device 100 and zipping the device 100 into the closed position. Some embodiments may include a handle 116 attached to the second surface 112. Along the second surface 112 is an acrylic bias binding 118 (such as an elastic strap) disposed to allow for placement of human fingers between the bias binding 118 and the second surface 112. Some embodiments may also include a layer of foam (not shown) placed between the two surfaces.

One having skill in the art will appreciate that other fasteners besides a zipper may be employed to effect closing the device 100. For example and without limitation Velcro may be used. Some embodiments may use self-adhering devices such as those described in U.S. Pat. No. 7,950,114 which may provide an easier-to-use and more comfortable therapeutic experience.

In operation a user may carry the device 100 in the closed position. When they encounter a surface that they would prefer not to touch, they may then unzip the device 100, place their fingers between the second surface 112 and the bias binding 118 and use the device 100 as a glove. When finished using the device 100, the user may fold the device 100 and zip it closed. Accordingly some embodiments will provide for a relatively tight closure.

One advantage of the embodiment of FIG. 1 is that the first surface allows for easy cleaning because of the PVC type coating. A user may then easily clean the surface between uses.

Some embodiments may include anti-bacterial (or anto-microbial) fabric or coatings to allow for a higher degree of cleanliness. Fabrics treated with an antibacterial finish offer additional protection against bacteria and mold. These conventionally available chemical finishes may be effective in combating a wide range of microbes. Some materials may also include an antibacterial finish that is added to a polyurethane compound before it is formed. In these embodiments the active component may be a silver ion that bonds to the substances bacteria need for respiration. Micro-structured titanium dioxide may be a carrier of the active component (i.e. silver chloride), on which anti-microbial is based. In the case of perspiration silver ions with antimicrobial effect may be set free from silver chloride.

Some embodiments may provide for different shapes and sizes including, but not limited to, animal shapes or other designs for children. One example includes an oven-mitt style glove comprised of material similar to surfaces 110 and 112. The glove may be turned inside-out to access the rubberized surface and closed with a zipper or other fastener such as Velcro.

References in the specification to “one embodiment”, “an embodiment”, “an example embodiment”, etc., indicate that the embodiment described may include a particular feature, structure or characteristic, but every embodiment may not necessarily include the particular feature, structure or characteristic. Moreover, such phrases are not necessarily referring to the same embodiment. Further, when a particular feature, structure or characteristic is described in connection with an embodiment, it is submitted that it is within the knowledge of one of ordinary skill in the art to effect such feature, structure or characteristic in connection with other embodiments whether or not explicitly described. Parts of the description are presented using terminology commonly employed by those of ordinary skill in the art to convey the substance of their work to others of ordinary skill in the art.

The above illustration may provide for many different embodiments or embodiments for implementing different features of the invention. Specific embodiments of components and processes are described to help clarify the invention. These are, of course, merely embodiments and are not intended to limit the invention from that described in the claims.

Although the invention is illustrated and described herein as embodied in one or more specific examples, it is nevertheless not intended to be limited to the details shown, since various modifications and structural changes may be made therein without departing from the spirit of the invention and within the scope and range of equivalents of the claims. Accordingly, it is appropriate that the appended claims be construed broadly and in a manner consistent with the scope of the invention, as set forth in the following claims. 

What is claimed:
 1. A device comprising: a first foldable material; a second foldable material, said second foldable material substantially the same size as the first foldable material and coupled to the first foldable material to form an outer edge; at least one stretchable binding disposed on the first foldable material opposite to the second foldable material; a zipper disposed substantially near the outer edge, wherein the zipper joins a first portion of the outer edge to a second portion of the outer edge when closed.
 2. The device of claim 1 wherein the first foldable material is a PVC-Coated polyester fabric.
 3. The device of claim 1 further including a layer of foam disposed between the first and second material.
 4. The device of claim 1 wherein at least one of the first foldable material or the second foldable material includes an anti-microbial additive.
 5. The device of claim 4 where the anti-microbial additive includes a silver ion as the active component.
 6. The device of claim 1 further including a handle disposed on either the first or the second material.
 7. A device including: a PVC-coated polyester fabric, said polyester fabric including an anti-microbial agent; a second foldable material, said second foldable material attached to said first foldable material, and a fastener positioned to effectuate closing the device onto itself and holding it closed, wherein when closed onto itself, the PVC-coated polyester fabric is substantially enclosed by the second foldable material.
 8. The device of claim 7 wherein the anti-microbial agent includes silver chloride.
 9. The device of claim 7 further including a stretchable bias binding disposed on the second foldable material.
 10. The device of claim 7 wherein the fastener is a zipper disposed along an edge of the second foldable material.
 11. The device of claim 7 wherein the fastener is a self-adhering device. 